Determining Group Ride Order and Spacing

The most knowledgeable and experienced rider takes the lead. Trail leaders:

Guide the direction, pace, and length of the ride.

Alert the group to changing conditions and warn of potential hazards.

Avoid unnecessary risk by placing safety first.

Do not allow reckless behavior such as “horseplay” or passing within the group.

The last position of a group, called a “trail sweep,” is critical in maintaining proper spacing and leadership on the trail. This rider should be as experienced and knowledgeable as the trail leader.

Group Ride Spacing

Stay a safe distance behind the snowmobile ahead of you.

Proper spacing is determined by speed, reaction time, distance, and the need to maintain visual contact.

As a rule of thumb, calculate spacing distances using a reaction time of three seconds. As the snowmobile in front of you passes an object, count one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three. If you pass that same object in less than three seconds, you should allow more space.